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Posted on • Originally published at slideforge.dev

Automate PowerPoint Reports from Excel with Python

#python #automation #api #tutorial

You can automate your weekly PowerPoint reports from Excel data with 10 lines of Python — no manual formatting, no copy-pasting charts, no last-minute slide tweaks. This guide shows two approaches: python-pptx for full control, and SlideForge's API for consulting-quality output in seconds.

The problem: manual report decks

Every Monday morning, someone opens an Excel file, copies numbers into a PowerPoint template, screenshots a chart, pastes it, adjusts the alignment. For a 15-slide weekly report, this takes 1-2 hours. Every week.

Approach 1: python-pptx (free, full control) 

import pandas as pd
from pptx import Presentation
from pptx.util import Inches, Pt

df = pd.read_excel("weekly_metrics.xlsx", sheet_name="Summary")
prs = Presentation()
slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[6])
txBox = slide.shapes.add_textbox(Inches(1), Inches(2), Inches(10), Inches(2))
txBox.text_frame.text = "Weekly Report"
txBox.text_frame.paragraphs[0].font.size = Pt(36)
# ... 500+ lines for a full 15-slide deck
prs.save("weekly_report.pptx")
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This works, but maintaining 500+ lines of layout code is a burden.

Approach 2: SlideForge API (10 lines) 

import requests

resp = requests.post(
    "https://api.slideforge.dev/v1/render",
    headers={"Authorization": "Bearer sf_live_YOUR_KEY"},
    json={
        "template": "kpi_dashboard",
        "params": {
            "title": "Week 14 Performance",
            "metrics": [
                {"value": "$12.4M", "label": "Revenue", "trend": "+18%", "trend_dir": "up"},
                {"value": "847", "label": "Clients", "trend": "+23%", "trend_dir": "up"},
            ],
        },
        "theme_id": "consulting_blue",
    },
)
print(resp.json()["pptx_url"])  # ready in <1s
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$0.03 per slide. For a full deck, use the deck endpoint (~3s for 5 slides in parallel).

Scheduling

Cron: 0 7 * * 1 python3 weekly_report.py

GitHub Actions:

on:
  schedule:
    - cron: '0 7 * * 1'
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Also works with Airflow, n8n, and Zapier.

Cost comparison

  • python-pptx: Free, 500+ lines, 2-4 hours to build
  • SlideForge: $0.03-$0.05/slide = $23-39/year for a 15-slide weekly report
  • Manual: 1-2 hours/week = $2,500-5,000/year

Sign up for $3 free credit.

Originally published at slideforge.dev

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